Lady Dragon, Tela Du Read online

  “And the fact that Reuben and I are the only ones who can remember her?” suggested Petra.

  “Yes. That too. You talk about her a lot, but never really about her. If you’re exploring in her memory…”

  “Well, if you’ve met Petra, you already know pretty much everything there was to know about Sarah,” said Reuben. “They were identical twins after all.”

  “Reuben!” Petra growled, throwing a pinecone at his head, which he dodged. “You of all people know better than that.”

  “Okay, identical triplets.”

  She rolled her eyes. “The term ‘identical’ just means that we were originally the same zygote. It does not mean that we are identical in every way. And Reuben, you know this. Yes, we looked the same, but she liked crafts and gardening, I like cooking and research. I prefer Mum’s British accent, while Sarah used Dad’s Texan. I could remember Sylvia and Richard, Sarah couldn’t. Just like Robert can’t and Reuben can.”

  “Sylvia and Richard. Your other sister and Reuben’s other brother? You talk about them even less.”

  “They disappeared nearly ten years ago,” Petra answered. “Reuben and I had almost accepted that we might have made them up, it’d been so long, and we were so young. But Sarah? She was there that morning, and that afternoon, no one could remember her. Not our parents. Not Tyler. Not Summer, her best friend. Just me and Reuben.”

  It was a wonder that Robert hadn’t disappeared with Sarah, to be honest.

  “It really is strange the way they disappeared and that the two of you are the only ones who can remember her,” said Ashley.

  “It is, isn’t it?” said Reuben. “So you … think we might be right and not insane?”

  “I don’t know what to think,” said Ashley. “But stranger things have happened. After all, I remember almost nothing about my mother. Maybe it’s because I was little, but I don’t think so. It felt very … recent when I first came here.”

  “So your memory is bad, and ours are way too good?” suggested Reuben.

  “That may be one way of saying it,” Ashley agreed. “So, um, Petra, how soon do you think before we’ll get to … wherever it is that we’re going? You seem very determined, so I don’t believe that we're just wandering. Are we?”

  “We’re looking for the house where Sarah disappeared two years ago,” Petra answered. “But to be honest, I haven’t actually been able to find my way back there in two years.”

  “But you’re still dragging Ashley and me out here?” asked Reuben.

  “You agreed to it,” Petra pointed out. “And I think we’re almost there. Hopefully.”

  “Hopefully?” Reuben repeated. “I was hoping for a certainly from you.”

  “I was freaked out the last time,” Petra protested. “I was trying to get back home as quickly as I could, not memorizing the way back. It’s been two years, and we’re now headed in the opposite direction from what I was then.”

  “You’re incredibly helpful.”

  Petra chose not to answer. This conversation was rapidly descending into a downward spiral, and she wanted to stop it before it went any further. She needed to pay attention to what direction they were going. These woods could be confusing if one weren’t paying attention, and she might have already made a wrong turn.

  “Do you need directions, Petra?”

  Petra’s heart skipped a beat, and she pulled up short as a young girl stepped onto the path ahead of them. She was perhaps ten or so, with light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, blue-gray eyes, and a distinct dimple to her chin that Petra wouldn’t mistake. “Alyce? Is that you?”

  “Oh, of course!” And the girl rushed forward and threw her arms around Petra’s waist. “It’s so good to see you again.”

  “I … guess I can say the same,” said Petra, returning the hug. “I haven’t seen you since you disappeared with Sarah. Where did you go? Why didn’t you let us know? You didn’t even come to tell me goodbye before you left.”

  Alyce drew back, and her brow knit pensively as she glanced downwards. “I’ll try not to do that again to you, Petra, I really will. But it’s a long story, and it’s not all mine to tell.” She turned to Ashley. “It’s good to see you, too … Ashley.”

  Ashley stared at the girl wide-eyed. “Laura?”

  “That’s me.”

  “Laura?” Petra repeated.

  “I go by many names,” said Alyce. “Laura happens to be my real name. But that’s another story for another time. Time is short and the hour is at hand. Ashley, give me your hand.”

  Not even flinching at the girl’s strange speech, Ashley held out her hand. Alyce, or Laura, apparently, took it and pressed something into the palm. “There are few people who can use my powers, but you are one of those people. This is a hair from my own head. Grip it tightly, and it will keep you from getting lost. I need you to return to Jane and Michelle and tell them to prepare the Room.”

  “The Room?” Petra repeated.

  “You’ll find out about that soon, but first you need to have some questions answered,” said Laura. “Ashley, go.”

  “But…” Ashley took a deep breath. “I thought you’d be taking me home next time I saw you?”

  “Soon, but not quite yet, Ashes,” said Laura. “This isn’t the moment appointed for your return, but you won’t have to wait much longer. Go.”

  Ashley nodded, then turned and ran into the woods.

  Laura turned back to Petra and Reuben. “You were looking for someplace in particular?”

  “Yes,” said Petra. “That house we found when you and Sarah disappeared. I’ve not been able to find it again since, but I just felt like I needed to come back here today. It’s been exactly two years. Maybe I’ll find answers.”

  “I rather think you will, though perhaps not the answers you’re looking for,” said Laura. “Come on, I’ll lead the way. You’re actually not far off, to be honest. Not that you could find it without me. It isn’t actually part of this world. I have to pull it out of Lorita, where it actually exists.” She giggled. “Oh, it’s one of the strangest doors I have, let me assure you, as it involves three worlds, and is, therefore, a bit unstable.”

  “Uh … what?”

  “Petra, is it just me, or has this day taken a sudden turn for the weird?” asked Reuben, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. He was enjoying this.

  “It’s not just you. Today has taken a sudden turn for the extremely weird,” Petra confirmed. Sure, she wanted answers. Sure, she wanted to see her Alyce again, but she didn’t want more insanity.

  “Sounds fun,” said Reuben. “So, Alyce-Laura, when you say other worlds, do you mean like those in fantasy novels?”

  “I’m focusing right now. I’ll answer in a moment,” said Laura. “Aligning worlds isn’t easy when I have to do it alone.”

  “Do you need help?” asked Reuben.

  Laura glanced back at him and shook her head. “I need silence.” Taking a deep breath, she stamped her foot and made a motion with her hands. Then she nodded. “Okay, it’s done. You had questions for me?”

  Petra and Reuben forgot about the questions, however. Standing behind Laura was a long house made entirely of sticks and moss.

  “That,” said Petra, “is the house I haven’t been able to find in two years.”

  “Guess it does exist,” commented Reuben.

  “You doubted me?” asked Petra, giving him the eyebrow.

  “Not for a moment. Robert did, though, and you know how that is.”

  Chapter 2

  “So, are you ready to go on your adventure and find some of those answers?” asked Laura. “Who knows? You may find some more questions, too. They’re always exciting.”

  “How did you do this two years ago and I not notice that it appeared out of thin air?” Petra asked, gesturing to the house.

  “I don’t know,” said Laura, shrugging. “Hasn’t happened for me yet, still a few more adventures off, though I am looking forward to it. The babysitting
part that is. Not so much the leaving. Things like that are tricky. But going out on a limb to speculate, I’m willing to say that a good deal of the reason is that I called attention to it this time, and I won’t that time. The hand motions aren’t really necessary, and I could have pulled it out from quite a few more feet away.”

  “This is awesome,” commented Reuben, making a circuit of the house. “How did you do it?”

  “I’m the Doorkeeper,” said Laura, shrugging. “It’s what I do.”

  “When did you become a Doorkeeper?” asked Petra. “Does your mother know you’re one?”

  “You don’t become a Doorkeeper. I’m the only one, and it’s just what I am,” Laura answered. “And my mother, she … I … oh. You’re talking about Bethany Withawie.”

  “That is your mother’s name, isn’t it?”

  “Only when I’m being my own mother and my other name is Alyce Withawie.” Laura glanced away, and apparently the tree next to her was very interesting. “I was Mrs. Withawie, Petra. That part has already happened to me. Yes, I did know about my powers. I will always be the Doorkeeper.”

  “So you’re your own mother?”

  “Of course not, it’s impossible – and I’ve seen a number of impossible things in my life. Just, sometimes, I pretend to be. It’s convenient for those times when I need to be young, but I don’t need to be in one area for very long,” Laura explained. “Now, we really ought not just stand here chatting. This door is unstable, as I’ve mentioned before, so we need to get through it as quickly as we can so I can go ahead and close it. You might not believe me, but holding open doors is physically draining on me – especially this one.”

  “Through it to where?” asked Petra.

  “To Rizkaland,” said Laura. “Your destiny awaits and all that.” She pulled open the door to the house. “Look, I know all this sounds weird and that I’m probably making no sense at the moment, but if you’ll just trust me, it’ll … okay, maybe I can’t promise that it won’t be bad, but it won’t not be good, either.”

  “You’ve clearly been taking a course in Confusing 101 since I last saw you.”

  “Standard education for a Doorkeeper,” said the girl, shrugging.

  “Is this what happened to Sarah?” Petra asked. “You took her to her destiny through this door?”

  “You’re assuming that Sarah exists,” said Laura.

  “Oh, come on! Give me a straight answer of yes or no. Did Sarah exist or not? Do you remember her? Did you take her through this door?”

  “I remember many things that others would much rather forget,” answered Laura. “But I can’t give you a straight answer, Petra. I’m not meant to answer this question, nor can I even say that you will get an answer. Maybe your sisters and brother,” she glanced at Reuben, “existed, perhaps they’re figments of your imagination, but it’s not my place to say, not at this time. But if you don’t step through this door, there’s no way you’ll ever get answers.”

  Petra opened her mouth to say something, but then Reuben put a hand on her shoulder and was talking. “This isn’t some practical joke to get our hopes up and just lock us in an abandoned house?”

  “No. This will really take you to another world.”

  “Sounds good enough for me. Let’s go, Petra.” And before she could protest, he was pushing her through the door and into the blackness of the house. The door shut behind them, and a shudder of finality shook the very air.

  “Reuben!” Petra growled. “What was that for?”

  “You were intimidating the girl. I had to do something. Besides, she promised another world,” Reuben answered. “And … now the door won’t open again. It looks like our only way now is forward.”

  “We’re stuck in this house?” asked Petra, really not wanting to believe what was happening. “This dark, dilapidated house made of sticks that … really ought to let in more light than this.”

  “Scared? You could hold my hand if you’d like.”

  “Reuben, I’m not scared.”

  “But maybe I am. Look, there’s no one here to see us, not even ourselves.”

  Petra felt Reuben’s hand brush against her shoulder and then slide down her arm until he found her hand. She let him take her hand, if only because it would make it harder for him to run off and abandon her in the darkness, something she was legitimately concerned he’d do. Honestly, her eyes ought to have at least done some adjusting by now, but apparently, there wasn’t even a drop of light in this house. Given the state of the roof she’d seen outside, Petra found that highly suspicious.

  “Want a kiss now?” she asked, sarcastically.

  “Are you offering?”

  She rolled her eyes at the tone of his voice. “No.”

  “Not right now, then, but I might take a raincheck. We need to focus on getting out of here,” he answered, pulling her forward, away from the door that reportedly wouldn’t open. “Your young Alyce-Laura said something about this door being unstable, so I think we ought to get away from it as quickly as possible. Also, I think I see a glimmer of light ahead of us.”

  Petra didn’t see the point in protesting, even though they were just as likely as not to just run into the other side of the house within a few moments. She did hang back slightly so he would be the one to run into it, not her.

  But they didn’t run into the wall. They just kept walking and walking and met only with more and more of that strange darkness. Reuben started walking faster. Pretty soon, he was running, and Petra was glad she had his hand, as it meant that he couldn’t get away from her. His legs were longer than hers, so keeping up with him was an extreme challenge. She wanted out of this strange place so she couldn’t bring herself to ask him to slow down. Besides, she thought she could see that shimmer of light that he had mentioned.

  On and on they ran. She fully expected her legs to give out or to at least develop some side stitch, as she wasn’t in the best of shape, but they just kept going.

  Jump.

  The word reverberated all through the darkness. It sounded like Laura’s voice, but Petra wasn’t entirely sure. Whoever it was, it didn’t matter, for she and Reuben both obediently jumped. The darkness exploded with blinding light. Petra squeezed her eyes shut, and still all she could see was white.

  She pulled her hand from Reuben’s just as she landed, all fours, on the ground, breathing hard. She took a moment to focus and catch her breath before she opened her eyes.

  The grass was purple.

  “Reuben! Do you see the grass?”

  “Yep, matches your shirt,” said Reuben. “If it makes you feel better, there’s a cluster of blue trees over there. Guess this means that we really are in another world.”

  “Either that or we have finally gone officially insane.” Petra blinked several times. Had the blinding light messed up her eyes?

  “We are not playing this game,” said Reuben, and she felt his hands under her arms. He hauled her to her feet. “Look around with an open mind, will you? Just think of what sort of adventures are waiting for us.”

  Petra reluctantly focused her glare on Reuben. Well, he was still the right color. That was a point for her vision. “The grass is purple.”

  “You have already mentioned that. Let’s go see if we can find any people who can tell us where we are and what prophecy we’re expected to fulfill. Would you like to hold my hand some more?”

  “Prophecy? And please no. I can see now. I’m not going to lose you.”

  “Fair enough. Also, if we find people, we don’t want them to get the wrong idea, right?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, Petra. Let’s go.”

  He started walking in a random direction, and she followed, knowing that it wasn’t a good idea for them to get separated in a strange world. To be honest, the longer she stared at the brightly colored flora, the less disturbing it seemed. Maybe it was autumn here, and their autumnal colors were more vivid than Earth�
�s. Even the thought of being in another world wasn’t so strange. After all, from a mathematical perspective, it was possible for other universes to exist. She just hadn’t expected them to be accessible.

  Meanwhile, Reuben was whistling a merry tune that was beginning to annoy her. The silence clearly wasn’t good for either of them.

  “How’d your date go last night?” she asked, smirking. Not the best conversation topic, but the only one she could think of that probably wouldn’t steer into a discussion on prophecies for them to fulfill. And even it was risky.

  Reuben gave her a sidelong glance and then rolled his eyes. “If you’re talking about the job interview, no, I didn’t get the job. Sorry.”

  “Well, that’s your fault, and we’ll discuss the matter later. So, when are you going to get a girlfriend so people stop making that assumption about me?”

  “I bring home girls. You never approve of them, so I let them go. I get the distinct impression that you’re jealous, and I’d rather not have a girl come between us.”

  “Reuben, if you’re talking about those obnoxious airheads, you shouldn’t have brought them home to begin with.” She chose not to comment on the “jealousy.”

  “All right, you find me a smart girl, and I’ll consider her. Until then, I’ll continue watching you chase off airheads. Are you regretting holding my hand?”

  “No. It prevented me from losing you in the dark, which would have been a bad thing, considering we’re now in a strange world.”

  “Fair point. I’m glad we weren’t separated. Hey, while we’re on the topic, what lotion do you use? Your hands are really soft.”

  “Reuben!”

  “That’s my name. Has been for the last eighteen years. I think you have it down now.” He glanced back at her, a broad grin on his face, clearly far too amused at his own joke. “Congratulations!”

  Petra rolled her eyes. “I should hope so, I’ve known you for sixteen and a half of those years. That’s long enough to realize how utterly annoying you are.”

  “And you were just telling me to find a smart girl? How many smart girls are willing to put up with annoying guys? Not many.”